One People Under God...Indivisible...With Liberty and Justice For All

Ephesians 2:11-22 Common English Bible (CEB)

The reconciliation of God’s people
11 So remember that once you were Gentiles by physical descent, who were called “uncircumcised” by Jews who are physically circumcised. 12 At that time you were without Christ. You were aliens rather than citizens of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of God’s promise. In this world you had no hope and no God. 13 But now, thanks to Christ Jesus, you who once were so far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

14 Christ is our peace. He made both Jews and Gentiles into one group. With his body, he broke down the barrier of hatred that divided us. 15 He canceled the detailed rules of the Law so that he could create one new person out of the two groups, making peace. 16 He reconciled them both as one body to God by the cross, which ended the hostility to God.

17 When he came, he announced the good news of peace to you who were far away from God and to those who were near. 18 We both have access to the Father through Christ by the one Spirit. 19 So now you are no longer strangers and aliens. Rather, you are fellow citizens with God’s people, and you belong to God’s household. 20 As God’s household, you are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 21 The whole building is joined together in him, and it grows up into a temple that is dedicated to the Lord. 22 Christ is building you into a place where God lives through the Spirit.

Loving God, full of wisdom and insight, full of mercy and grace. Forgive us Lord when we let our differences get in the way of our work for Your Kingdom here on earth. At times we seem to concentrate more our "rules" instead of the Law of Love You have given us. Help us, I pray, to set aside our differences and to come together as one body of and in Christ. Help us to break down those barriers that we have put up that separate us from each other. May we truly become the hands...the feet...the face...the voice...of Christ in the world as we stand together in brotherly and sisterly love.

The GPS of my Soul

Loving God, full of grace and mercy. Thank you that You are always with me. Even in those "dark night's of the soul" You are there to comfort me and bring me into Your light. Thank you that You are my guide who leads the way even in the darkest of desert places. Thank you that I never walk alone. Lead me out of the darkness and into the light of Your love those times when I can't seem to see the dawn. Show me the way to Your heart. Thank you that You are the GPS of my life...

Faithful God

Gracious God, You are the Living God who stands firm forever and ever. Your Kingship and Kingdom know no end. You are the Rescuer and Savior of Your faithful ones...performing signs and miracles for all to see. You are faithful, Faithful God...
(Daniel 6:25-27)

Bringer of Peace

All Powerful, Compassionate God, the One who saves me and is with me through anything I may go through. You are with me when I am in the calm and when the storm arises on my sea of faith. You are the ever present help even when I do not perceive You in the midst of the chaos. Forgive me for those times when, like the disciples, I am asking You if You care as I go through "the valley of the shadow of death." Thank you that You are my resting place and there is nothing that can take me away from Your ever present love. I love you and I need You. Thank you for calming my Spirit when the storm clouds rise and the seas become rough. You are my Rock of strength and hope.

A Sheep of Your Flock

Compassionate and protecting Jesus...the One who Shepherds me daily. Thank you that when I wander You will leave the others and search for me until I am found. I love to hear Your voice of compassion and hope. Lead me this day out of the pasture of rest into the world where I may lead others to Your loving arms of peace. Use me in this world so that others may come to know Your protective love. I am Yours and You are mine forever more. Use me to do Your good and perfect will...